Last updated on April 12th, 2015
How’s your garden clean-up coming along? Here in New York’s Hudson Valley, I’m still picking up sticks and leaves, and making repairs as the weather allows. More details in this sip and stroll garden tour:
And what are we sipping today? Why, a deliciously-sweet and tart Lemon Drop Martini.
Cheers!
SWOOSH! We are standing in the boxwood garden now, with a rear-view of the house. The boxwood — a variety called ‘Winter Gem’, which I grew mostly from cuttings — retains its green color no matter the season. And that’s a good thing, because the shrubs were buried beneath 2 feet of snow from early January through mid-March.
I’ll have the boxwood sheared and shaped later this month. The yews (Taxus ‘Hicksii’) that surround the garden will be trimmed in a week or two, before they sprout new growth.
And here’s the Herb Garden. Shall we tidy up this tiny plot?
I’ll hold your martini while you tackle the dead morning glory vines.
Do you remember the boxwood cuttings I inserted into the herb garden beds last spring? The cuttings grew roots, and, as you can see, they all survived our hellish winter without a hitch. Wanna propagate your own boxwood? Be sure to read my easy tutorial.
These cast iron urns announce the entrance to the Serpentine Garden. Shall we climb the gentle path?
Now that the snow has melted, we can see easily see the Vinca minor that covers the Serpentine’s second terrace. Beneath the vinca are lots of spring-flowering bulbs.
This Galanthus snow drop emerged last Thursday, when temperatures here soared to 68°F.
On Friday, the snowdrop opened its nodding petals.
I love spring!
At the top of the Serpentine is a row of arborvitae. These screen the swimming pool. Just now, the arbs are filled with goldfinches and other small birds.
And here’s the Kitchen Garden. If you look carefully, you’ll see that a heavy board has detached itself from the arbor. I’ll hold your martini while you make the repair.
I’m impressed! Blessings to you and the power drill you wisely store in your purse.
Between the kitchen and pool gardens is the entrance to the Woodland Garden. Shall we step inside?
Uh-oh. Our path is blocked by a fallen tree. I’ll hold your martini while…oh, never mind.
Instead, let’s sit on the swing!
Weeeeeeeeee!
That downed tree is really bugging me. Hang on while I fetch a noisy piece of machinery.
I’ve never met a problem that a chain saw couldn’t solve.
The Woodland is slowly returning to life. Beneath some decaying leaves, hellebores are sending out their precious flowers.
Since the trees are still bare, we have a splendid view of the stream that runs behind the Woodland. The stream leads to the Hudson River.
As we exit the Woodland, we encounter the pool garden. John B., our handy-man, will uncover and clean the pool in early May. Meantime, we can visit the pool statuary:
Say hello to this lecherous Satyr…
And this replica of “Autumn”…
And this scantily-clad “Summer.”
If we peer over the pool garden’s west gate, we can see the boxwood garden below. Please note the light-colored branches on the left.
These are the flowering branches of the Silver-leaved maple, Acer saccharinum. The copper petals and whisker-like stamens are a fun sight for my winter-weary eyes.
Here’s the front of the house. In a matter of weeks, the lawn will green up, the trees will leaf out, and winter will become a distant memory.
Let’s head inside now, where another drink awaits. And as we sit and sip, I’d love to hear what’s happening in your own garden. Has your snow finally melted?
Don’t miss anything at A Garden for the House…sign up for Kevin’s email updates.
A Late-Spring Garden Tour
How to Transplant Winter-Sown Seedlings
How to Make Pretzel Rolls
Mary FT says
Thanks so much, Kevin. Always inspiring 🙂
Catharine R. says
Kevin, there’s nothing I enjoy more than a garden tour. Or a martini at noon!
Louise Brouillette says
Thank you for the tour. I can’t wait to see your garden progress online (while I watch mine [decidedly smaller] progress in real life!).
Kristin says
Magnolia, pears, daffs, scylla, anemone, Fritillaria uva vulpis & meleagris (love it so much!), vinca, creeping phlox, hellebores, & redbud all blooming. Lots more poking up, including my sugar snap peas. I would have waxed more eloquent if I had a martini in hand.
Cheryl says
Love your garden in all seasons, the structure always looks great. Mine has no snow left, but then we got lots of rain and so it’s quite soggy.
The lilacs and many trees are budding, and I have some snowdrops. The mulberry has lots of buds, and the crocus, iris and daffodils are about halfway up. Can’t wait.
Jay says
I’m enjoying your garden vicariously as ours holds little promise in this 4th year of drought in SoCal. We did have snow this winter (6″), but it did massive damage to our trees and palms. It’s very sad this spring. Still, we’re planting a lemon tree and hoping for the lantana and some geraniums to reappear before long. I’m so grateful for your posts, pictures and tours, Kevin!
Durf says
I’m a little jealous Kevin, that you’re snow seems to be gone. We’ve had a warm day here in northern CT so maybe when I go home my snow will be gone and I can start cleaning up as well. I certainly don’t want to fall way behind you.
Mary in Iowa says
Snow is gone, crocuses are finished, rains have greened the grass, a blue sea of several thousand scillas are abuzz with happy bees, winter sown seeds are showing more and more germination, and one carton of them–bachelor’s button–were planted in the ground yesterday. Every day brings new promise and new wonders.
Rachel Clark says
Keven, I love experiencing the Winter and the start of Spring from a distance! Here in California I’ve missed the first flush of my roses in Berkeley, as I’m enjoying my brother’s garden in San Luis Obispo. Here the apple and pomegranate trees are in bloom and the apricots, plums, pluots, nectarines and peaches are filled with little green fruits. The tiny bunches of grapes are hanging in profusion from the arbor, right next to the wisteria which bloomed like mad and was just pruned back two days ago. We’re picking and eating lemons, limes, oranges and loquats every day. The hanging baskets are planted and beginning to flush out, the roses are going insane, the rhubarb is ready to pick, and nastursiums are climbing the wisteria trunks in riotous splendor. And best of all, it’s supposed to rain tomorrow! Paradise.
Merry Mindy says
Thank you for the tour, Kevin. In western PA we are also winter weary, and your tour added a much needed distraction. Maybe spring really is here. Dare we hope? 🙂
gina says
Your fun tour excited me so much. I put my beehive together this weekend and am dreaming of munching basil lime cookies with a nice chard in the new teensy vineyard we started last fall
Christine says
Yes it’s finally happening in W NY too! Snow
Drops blooming and tulips up. Someday I hope to have a woodland garden.
Have you ever thought of having a greenhouse ?
Pam says
You are a bit ahead of us as we are in 4b – so we vicariously enjoy your signs of spring as we wait for ours.
Dianne says
This cold weather has set us back at least a week in our garden plans. My bulbs are afraid to come out of the ground ! I’m just starting my wintersow seeds today.
Kevin, last garden post you mentioned leaving your dandelions for the bees – you should also take advantage and eat some yourself….. spring dandelion leaves make a really healthy, nutritious salad. Like a spring tonic! It’s a common European ingredient. just google wildcraft dandelions for food. there are many ways of using the plant and preparing the leaves/roots.
Karen Knight says
You crack me up!! I was feeling depressed about the state of my own garden but your sip and stroll or maybe it was the martini has worked wonders! At least we have warm weather finally in VA.
Donna says
Hi Kevin,
Thank you for the tour…and look forward to your tours as the seasons progress.
Here in Bolton Landing some snow remains, however, the day lilly’s are beginning to bloom and my thyme survived the severe winter.
Welcome spring, a new beginning.
Ava lansbery says
Thanks for the tour, my daffodils are almost gone, they outdid themselves this year. I’m in 6a but our winter wasn’t too bad. Now the work begins…..weeds seem to grow, even in winter. I’m amazed your beds are so weed free. I mulch heavily every year but it seems to decompose over the winter. Now it’s, weed, Preen and mulch again. I must be doing something wrong?
Arlene says
Spring being my favorite season brings out the get going attitude. Loved the tour and the “marti ni” thanks….. Keep us posted and entertained. Oh, be sure to keep us well fed!
jean says
It got up to 70 here in Indiana yesterday, just couldn’t stay inside. Took my new hori knift that I learned about on your website and went to work in the gardens getting some of the wild violets out so they wouldn’t kill out all of my flowers. I just love that knife as it makes gardening so easy. Found a huge nest of red ants that were not happy with me as I was digging! Just love my new garden utensil as it works wonders. Just be careful as it is sharp. Love seeing your gardens and feeling like I am not the only one that doesn’t have anything planted in my vegetable garden. However, I am reaping the benefits of kale that I planted in a little cold frame out back before winter set in. I now take off the top daily and I am enjoying wonderful healthy shakes with lots of baby kale. So yummy! Have a great Sunday.
Donna says
Thank you so much for the wonderful recipes, I enjoy trying them. Unfortunately I am an apartment dweller without a garden but love walking through yours and enjoy holding your martini while I watch you work. Sorry, had to say it. Please, please keep up all your hard work in the kitchen and garden and keep inviting me to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Nancy says
Absolutely loved the sip and stroll through your wonderful gardens! And, the colorful Veggie Tian looks amazing too! Thank you for sharing.
Anne says
Loved the tour. It as inspirational that Spring may really be on the way. As I look out my kitchen window into my Maine backyard I still see a foot and a half of snow although the Boston Red Sox Troll that watches over my rock wall surrounding my garage is peeking out from under the snow. We are actually supposed to be in the 50’s today! Weeeeeeee! Thanks for sharing.
Fran T says
Hi Kevin
I really look forward to your updates especially this time of the year when there is so much going on in our gardens in Hopewell Junction NY. Today will be in the mid 60s just right for laying down new mulch in the gardens in the early morning before it really warms up. I enjoy going into the shed and taking out the bird baths and fountains which we store over the winter. Today I will plant some bulbs in pretty pots around the yard as well. Thank you for your wonderful recipes and inspiration. We’ve waited a long time for this wonderful weather. Enjoy!
Terri says
Kevin,
Here in Delaware it is starting to look like Spring. The grass is turning green, the forsythia is blooming, the peach tree has flowers and the grapevine is starting to get blooms. It was a cold winter here which is making a late start for everything. The rhubarb has finally emerged thru the ground along with the daffodils. It is starting to feel like Spring, today it is suppose to be in the high 60’s. I will be planting vegetables out in the garden around the 18th after the frost date for my area arrives.
Your tour of your garden was nice to see that your area survived the cold and is waking up. Spring is my favorite time of the year.
Regina says
Found a lovely patch of trilliums to transplant along w/ some more of the hepatica which I just really love. Sadly, I did not check the planting instructions for growing primroses, so do not think any of my milk jug ones will come up, since I did cover the seeds with a fine layer of dirt.
Here in GA we are enjoying the wonderful yellow pollen on everything, but so many wonderful things are blooming everywhere.
Cindy L says
With warm weather predicted for the whole week ahead I too will be heading into my gardens. Today the herb bed…that martini will be welcome when I’ve finished..
Jeanne Meeks says
Keven, You are so funny. You had me chuckling all through your gardens. Thanks for the tour. My Illinois garden and pond are ready for a good spring cleaning today.
Elke Pfliegl says
Thanks Kevin…if gave me a much needed smile. Still under a heavy blanket of snow here in Quebec and feeling rather hopeless.
Denise T says
It’s an exciting time isn’t it? There’s a few last minute changes to the veg garden as I work in there. I erected a portable plastic greenhouse last week to protect veggie seedlings and other seedlings newly potted up. Last night I made a double clay pot candle powered heater for the chilly eves in the greenhouse. It should just about keep the frost off.
I’ve been having fun watching British allotment Youtube videos over the winter and was inspired to try growing potatoes in large pots, and after chitting a few varieties, potted them up yesterday. We’re a little ahead of you here in NJ zone 6A. If the greens start showing I will cover with gauzy row cover to protect them until mid May when we’re safe from frost.
The bulbs I planted last year are starting to show and I’m hoping the bluebells I planted under a tree cluster will make it. I put some scilla in the back lawn which I have decided to grow high and buzz a path through with the lawn mower. A neighbor does that with part of their large lawn that runs down to their pond and it looks so inviting!
We’ve had some trees succumb to what I think is fungus over the last few years. It browned the needles from the bottom to top, from inside to outside the trees. Spruce trees seem to be hit hardest but I think a crabapple may have been affected too as it is between them. The spruce are far too large to reach with any anti fungal so we will just have to take them down and use the opportunity to replace with other evergreens less susceptible.
Well Kevin you know how many things are cooking at this time of year. I have such a huge job to do in the garden, and the winter sowed jugs are starting to sprout. (thanks to your guidance) So I’ll be very busy in the coming weeks. Until your next newsletter, best, Denise T.
Ann says
As always love your garden tour and your delicious titan….now tell me Kevin what is that white thing on the front of your house? It looks like a large white trash can a quarter way up the tree. I know it is not that but what is it?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Ann – Which tree are you referring to? I can’t see anything that resembles a large white trash can!
Donna says
Good morning… Loved the garden tour, it made me feel immensely fortunate. We had no snow (the drought, but there is plenty of water here on the northern coast of California), lots of nice rain and not much freezing this year. I have beds full of very healthy weeds and am working on them a little at a time. I wish I had your energy! Looking forward to your next installment!.
Anne Csak says
My weekly visits to your kitchen and garden are really enjoyable and so informative. I am located in the Foothills of the Canadian Rockies, NW of Calgary. Our Winter was really mild and not a huge amount of snow. Nevertheless, lots to do in the garden, Leopards Bane peeping through and thats about it. Vegetable Tian definitely on the menu….
MARTI Meyer says
High desert here in Central Oregon….50’s in daytime but freezes every night till end of May. Still able to plant cabbage, broccoli, bok choy, cabbage and other greens. I cover them with their own individual milk carton until they try to grow out the top hole, then I figure they are hardy to survive on their own. (Make sure to stake each carton or the wind blows them all away) Tulips are up and grapes, hops and other things are beginning to bud out. have lots of things started under the grow light for planting after Memorial Day, when we can USUALLY be assured of no more frost.
Deborah R says
Your house and gardens are beautiful, even before everything has greened up. I have trellises to mend and old vines to remove to the compost, too. BTW, I congratulate you on your ability to use a chainsaw so well, even after “holding” our martinis. My yard & garden aren’t large enough to merit a tour, but I made a discovery today – a persimmon tree that I thought had died is now totally leafed out! It was a happy surprise. I love spring!
Kate says
Ann- I think it is an optical illusion, if you click on the picture and expand it you will see that it isjust the siding on the house behind the tree….funny how the eye is tricked! Thank you Kevin for the tour and the martini. Here in PA we are noticing blooms everyday.. As of today the forsythia is in full bloom!
Marcia says
I know I planted 120 pink daffodils. Where did these yellow ones come from? Perhaps too much sipping?
Gretchen says
Hi Kevin, Love your garden tours. by the way, your new photo is the best yet.
What’s going on in my garden—-Snow drops are finishing their spectacular show, ”’Virginia Bluebells are up about 3 inches, buds on the azaleas beginning to plump up, woodpeckers are drumming their territorial signals, cardinals and American Goldfinch’s colors are starting to brighten……………..ah yes, ’tis spring. Unfortunately with it comes the cursed marsh marigolds. Any hints on how to control this unwanted invader? Please???
Debra says
The roses that did survive are showing some signs of life and the mini greenhouses are working just like Kevin said they would!! Yay spring!!
Central Iowa Susan says
Forsythia is in full bloom as are the “tulip” trees. Lovely white cultivar of a magnolia as well and lots of them in our town. An old old river birch that lives in our back yard must come down and I’m mourning the loss of its gentle shade this summer already…..
Ardelle says
After a difficult wet spring last year into July we are struggling with extreme lack of precipitation. We did get a bit of rain last week but will need many more nice rains to make up our deficit starting last August.
I have made some decisions about moving certain plants to protect them from the HOT sun. My hellebores will be moved after blooming – too dry where they are. The blooms are lovely but very few – been watering with a watering can since I can’t leave hoses out just yet. Daffodils are showing buds, rabbits ate my Fire spray tulips already, Alliums will bloom soon they are looking awesome – primroses are looking promising. My topiary Gem apple tree is PINK with buds just waiting for the perfect warm day. American Redbuds have self-seeded all over and will plant in ‘nursery’ for future placement. The mature ones will bloom soon also – probably early to mid May. Ahhh, and the rhubarb is looking wonderful – Rhubarb Crunch w/ ice cream – nothing better.
Happy Spring everyone.
ingmarie peck says
Thank you for a wonderful tour, and drinks, (even if I had to work for them)
Just beautiful all of it.
Thank you.
cynthia shultz says
once again, you make my sunday with your great info and sense of humor. Just finished my first round of raking which gets to be in smaller amts at a time as the years go by. Feels good to get going on it. A martini sounds good for later. thank you , Cynthia
Diane says
As always I loved your tour. My hostas and Dutch iris and azaleas are doing well here in North Texas, and perhaps my white hydrangeas will bloom this year. I did not know how or when to prune for last Spring and cut off what I thought was dead and got no blooms at all! My daffodils were lovely but didn’t last very long this year. My four new small dwarf red maples made it through last summer, squirrels attacking the bark, amd a tough winter, so I am full of hope for my coral bells and other plants that are new to me.
I made your latkes last week. Great! I look forward to trying the veggie recipe.
Carol says
What a beautiful tour; looking forward to seeing your place in summer.
Tried your vinegar to get rid of weeds – great success. Then tried the wet newspaper idea to keep weeds away from the flower beds. Will let you know how that works later this summer.
Thank you for a beautiful website!
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
Kevin, I wonder if you placed a tarp on the ground before the morning glory vines were pulled from the fence. I love morning glories, but they can be rampant self sowers. The tarp helps clean up in general, but also captures thousands of seeds to prevent an overwhelming problem the following summer. Just a thought…. (You have to carefully dump the tarp contents into a garbage bag, however, in order to thoroughly prevent reseeding.)
Your tour was great! I love the stream view.
My snowdrops are just now passing over and getting ready to make their seedpods. They spread very well and are most welcome, wherever they land.
Carol says
Loved the tour… know it will be replaced with the beauty you had last year! I think that anyone who lives above the Red River must have a lot of courage to maintain a garden. I have been pulling out the last of winter’s dead limbs and leaves for about a month now. My plants are stretching to the sun and showing they are glad to be out of the cold. We have already seen the hyacinths, tulips, dogwoods, Camilla, and wisteria…. looking forward to the azaleas and roses to open. If you ever have the opportunity to visit East Texas (as it is beautiful in all the seasons), please do come and take in our part of the world.
Take care and don’t overdo… which we all are guilty of when Spring comes.
paula k says
Denise T (29) we have the same problem with evergreens dying in SE PA…browning from bottom to top. agree more spruce affected than pine. Very sad to lose tall “hedgerow” ones…and they will require a professional to remove…at a high cost. The baby ones are just sad, not even 6′ and dying the same way. A local grower said it is a ground spread fungal disease from several wet years dating back to Irene, Sandy and so on….and that there is no cure…some dry period might help but once too far gone, the tree wont survive.
On that cheery note, we are enjoying a lavish crop of daffodils and best of all, the deer dont eat them!
Leslie D says
Hi Kevin,
Enjoyed your tour and the very first promises of the season. Thanks for the drinks, too.
Today has been the first day we could really count as spring – warm enough to start to clean
up in the garden. I love to lift a pile of leaves to see what is hiding to surprise me with new growth. A bank of snowdrops at my front door welcomes guests, and overnight the tulips, daffodils and scilla are making themselves known. Primroses are gathering in green clumps
in a dark, shady corner. Iris and lilies are starting. It will now be a race to get the winter debris/spring clean-up going before the plants overwhelm us with rapid growth.
I love to read what other gardens are doing in the different places your fans inhabit. It is like a friendly garden tour to all of them. Only a small part of my garden has been touched today, but it was very satisfying none the less. Looking forward to many more happy hours in the garden, but now I am recovering with a coffee laced with Bailey’s.
Many thanks for your fine newsletter and for the delicious, witty recipes. You are wonderful to share your expertise and your humour.
I raise a spring toast to you. Cheers!!!
Lorra says
Here, in central Indiana, the magnolias are in full bloom and magnificent. The jonquils are full of blooms — the best in several years. Possibly because of the extended snow cover in February. My over-wintered Pelargonium and begonias are anxious to go outside; while the squirrels and chipmunks are just waiting to dig in the pots. Hopefully I have enough pine cones to cover the soil in all of them.
Judy Hines says
Cleaning up out here as well and getting ready for the Ruby Throat Hummingbirds to arrive! A friend of ours has a friend who owns a greenhouse and he is growing 72 Theuret tomatoes!!!!! . This fellow sells gorgeous matoes at our Farmer’s Market here in Bloomington and may add Theurets. Take care. Nighty night.
Claudia says
Kevin. I was wondering if the morning glories help discourge the deer?
Sheri says
Love your garden tours. Thank you for the “fix”!
Katherine rossmoore says
Thanks for the tour darling Kevin! Our arborvitae are crushed by winter and deer!
Katherine
Marshfield Ma
NYNanny says
You have made my morning, then again, you always make me smile. Thank you.
Linda says
Here in the Seattle area the spring bulbs are done except for the late daffodils, The hellebores have been cut back to prevent seeding, the alliums are almost ready to bloom, the viburnum are fading, the flowering trees are just past prime, the leopards bane is in full bloom, and the joy of my garden, the scented loderi rhododendron is in bloom. All the summer perennials are well up, the clematis are setting flower buds and covering the bulb leaves and the lilacs are in bloom. I sure hope we have rain this summer to support this lovely display again for next year.
Kathryn says
Love your kitchen and garden info. Always look forward to Sunday’s and your postings. Thanks for all the great knowledge you share with all of us.
Julie says
Spring has really arrived here in Southern MD. Red maple Trees are budding out, as are my thornless blackberries, and hydrangeas. Now that I can see what’s alive and dead, there’s more pruning to do. Daffodils and narcissus are bouncing in the wind. The primrose look so sweet, and remind me that I need to separate them….there’s always something to do in the garden. It renews and relaxes me….no martini needed!
Ruth a. Lee says
My rhubarb is popping up now, and I can’t remember how you said to freeze it !! Please run that by us again, please !!
Jean says
Crocus, snowdrops and rhubarb popping, that’s it so far for my RI garden. We still have cold mornings (30’s and 40’s) but today was a balmy 70 degrees!
Chris says
You know that winter was bad on here on Long Island when my husband and I were turning over the compost pile yesterday and couldn’t finish the job because the center was still frozen solid !! Never had that happen in April in 27 years !!
Doris says
I am so happy I found you! And thank you for your delightful blog and wonderful garden updates! I’ve started six milk jugs as you’ve taught me with Cosmos, Bachelor Buttons, Zinnia, Nicotiana and Basil. However, my ‘permanent marker’ scrawl washed off in the rains! I think I’ll be able to figure out which is which, I hope!!)
I have primroses and snowdrops (one of my snowdrop clumps is as big a toddler)! Daffodils and spring beauties popping out now. We’ve had two scotch pines from our neighbor’s yard blow over and that has been a big spring cleanup job for us.
I’ve just planted peas, radishes, carrots, spinach and iceberg seeds and unwraped my fencing for placement around our two raised beds.
Happy Spring, Kevin!
raised ranch kid says
Kevin, I have a spring question about my lawn. Last fall, I didn’t rake any of the leaves that fell on the grass (only those on the patio and the driveway, which I mulched with a lawn shredder just like yours). On the lawn, I merely drove back and forth over the leaves with my mulching mower.
Now the grass is full of mulched leaf bits and I wonder: Should I rake them out to de-thatch the grass, or leave them in to further decompose and feed the soil?
Thanks!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi raised ranch kid – I’d let the mulched leaves remain on the lawn. They will indeed feed the soil.
Robbie Lou says
Thanks for the tour and the martini! Let me know if you need help with anything else. I’m off to nip and multiply my boxwoods. Thanks too for the reminder on that!
Karen Thomas says
I really enjoyed the swing! Taking our time and enjoying the change of season is inspiring. Here in the high desert of AZ, my tiny garden got planted last weekend. Green beans fill most of it, with tarragon on one end and sweet banana peppers at the other. Two pots of cherry tomatoes and that’s it. But out front, I have a lovely arbor vitae that give plenty of shade. So between many varieties of roses, I have pots of flowers and various herbs. Also planted one pot of yellow pear cherry tomatoes from seed. I’m not holding out a lot of hope for it. It gets too hot too soon.
Deb says
Your swing picture/commentary made me laugh out loud.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a splendid weekend.
Deb